Gareth A Davies has been a sports journalist for The Daily Telegraph since 1993. He is Boxing and MMA Correspondent. Has been intrigued by fight and combat sports from a young age. Personal sporting passions are rugby, cricket, and martial arts. Also covers the Paralympic Games. Hates getting his hair cut. Follow on Twitter @GarethADaviesDT

EXCL VIDEO Pacquiao popularity compared to Muhammad Ali

Bob Arum told me recently that Manny Pacquiao "is the most unique fighter I have ever promoted". That's really saying something. Remember, the Harvard-educated graduate in law Arum, a legend in boxing himself, has promoted Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler and any great name you care to mention in his career within boxing for over 40 years.

Arum expects the unexpected when it comes to Filipino 'treasure' Manny Pacquiao.

Bob told me: "This is the most unique fighter I have ever promoted. [Muhammad] Ali was beloved, and larger than life but it wasn't the same as Pacquiao. Look outside [we were at London's Imperial War Museum] – it's a work day in London and the place is loaded with Filipino people coming just to look at this guy."

As veteran writer Colin Hart reminded us – and Colin goes back 40 years with Bob – Ali stopped the traffic all over the world, and had presidents and political leaders wanting to be seen next to him, to be photographed alongside him.

Ali may have been the greatest sportsman ever, but arguably, Pacquiao is the greatest sportsman to represent a nation, to embody their thoughts, feelings, and to capture a period in time. So many millions have their hopes and fears, aspirations and ambitions represented on the world's stage, in front of the planet's eyes, in the little man, the fighting warrior from General Santos.

Arum added: "Universally, Ali, as an athlete was the most popular of any sportsman I've seen, including Pacquiao. But if I am talking about one people, one nation, plus the 11 million Filipinos around the world, and the 3 million in the US, Manny is the man they look to, the most popular I have ever known. I go any place in the world and if an Asian comes up to me, and wants to talk to me, to touch me, I know they are Filipino. And it's because of Manny. It really is incredible."